CHIANG RAI – Young shooting athletes from Chiang Rai received official honors after winning a massive haul of national and international medals. The celebration took place on the evening of June 20, 2026, at the Eak-O-Cha Restaurant in Mueang Chiang Rai. Local sports leaders gathered to praise the talented teenagers for putting their northern province on the global sports map.
Chiang Rai Provincial Sports Association President Rattana Jongsuttanamanee warmly congratulated the youth team alongside City Mayor Wanchai Jongsuttanamanee. Suwit Menyaem from the Shooting Sport Association of Thailand also attended to recognize the historic progress of these young marksmen. Their steady development shows that local sports programs are successfully preparing regional athletes for the highest levels of competition.
Key Takeaways
- International Success: Chiang Rai youth shooters won multiple medals at major tournaments and events, including the SEASA 2026 competition in Taipei.
- National Team Selection: Thirteen-year-old Daranphop Kanchanaphong became the youngest athlete selected for the Thai national shooting team.
- Local Government Support: Chiang Rai sports officials and city leaders are actively backing youth programs to build sustainable athletic careers.
- Community Pride: Two young female shooters received the prestigious Outstanding Child of Chiang Rai award for their excellent achievements.
Thirteen-year-old Daranphop Kanchanaphong made headlines as the youngest athlete chosen to represent Thailand on the world stage. He will compete at the upcoming ISSF World Cup in Hangzhou, China, scheduled for July 20 to 29, 2026. Daranphop will also join the Thai national team at the 20th Asian Games held in Japan later this year.
His incredible track record includes three gold medals at the latest Thailand Shooting Championship. He also secured a silver and a bronze medal during the highly competitive SEASA tournament in Taoyuan. Sports analysts believe his rapid rise will inspire a new generation of target shooters across the country.
Outstanding Achievements by Young Prodigies
Other young male athletes also delivered spectacular performances that proved Chiang Rai’s deep talent pool. Fourteen-year-old Thapanat Chailangka secured one silver and one bronze team medal at the international SEASA event. Furthermore, he dominated the Thailand Shooting Championship by winning three individual silver medals and one individual bronze.
Meanwhile, eleven-year-old Wongsporn Rojthanawiphat claimed an individual gold medal in the under-12 category at the National Youth Games. His teammate, thirteen-year-old Phuriphoom Mingkhwan, helped secure a gold and two silver medals during regional qualifying rounds. These consistent victories show the high technical skill taught in the province’s junior training academies.
Chiang Rai’s female shooters also earned significant praise for their precision and composure under intense pressure. Eleven-year-old Anqi Zhang won a bronze team medal at the Taipei International Grand Prix 2026. She followed this success by claiming two gold medals in the team event at the regional youth qualifiers.
Historic Medal Haul
Sisters Ananda and Alisa Wiangkham both delivered stellar performances that captured the attention of national selectors. Ananda won a bronze medal in the 10-meter air pistol event at the SEASA tournament. She also swept three gold medals at the regional youth games and won the Green Shooting Championship.
Both sisters received the prestigious Outstanding Child of Chiang Rai award for their massive contributions to local sports. Alisa mirrored this success by winning gold in both the air pistol and women’s sport pistol team events. Their combined achievements highlight how targeted community funding can transform grassroots sports into international excellence.
Local schools and proud families have played an essential role in supporting these young athletes through heavy training schedules. The Chiang Rai Provincial Sports Association aims to expand its training facilities to welcome more young talents next year. This historic medal haul proves that Thai youth possess the dedication required to conquer the global sporting arena.
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